Shackling De Bruyne could turn final for United

It may require Erik ten Hag to make a calculated gamble and start with the combative Fred in United’s two-man holding midfield, alongside Casemiro.

HOLDS THE KEYS: Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

1. Stop De Bruyne

Forget Erling Haaland - all 52 goals worth - because once the ball reaches him, the odds are heavily stacked in favour of it ending in the back of the goal. The key will be to stop his service and no pairing in Europe’s big five leagues generated more goals this season than the eight Kevin De Bruyne laid on for the Norwegian in the Premier League (11 in all competitions).